As Trump dangles pardon for Ed Snowden, his Justice Dept. plays games with the extradition process for WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange, …
--ConsortiumNews and MintPress both have solid reports on Assange hearing today
--YouTube announces new rules banning coverage of “hacked information”
In agreement with UAE that Trump hopes to take credit for, Israel will forego plans to annex occupied West Bank territory…--in neighboring Lebanon, US imposes new sanctions that cripple an already-crippled country, reports Ben Norton
--compulsively impulsive Trump blurts out the truth: he is trying to use the Post Office to block mail in voting in November
--after Trump says she’s “not even a smart person”, AOC challenges him to release his college transcript
Appeal is filed seeking to end interception and collection of all US email traffic, with Bill Binney providing expert testimony…--attorney Elliott Schuchardt fights to restore Fourth Amendment rights, based on his inability to protect attorney-client communications
--federal judge in Mississippi argues that Fourth Amendment is violated by “qualified immunity” doctrine that protects cops from accountability
Dems’ obsession with identity politics propels selection of Kamala Harris, a corporate tool with bad record as prosecutor, thrilling Trump….--the high point for Kamala Harris in the Senate was making Jeff Sessions nervous
--Harris is skilled at progressive pretense
--former SF mayor Willie Brown, her mentor and ex-boyfriend, advised her to pass on VP and go for attorney general
--Trump’s ill-conceived, unconstitutional unemployment plan is modified after states reject co-pay formula they can’t afford
As many broke Americans face hunger, eviction with no health insurance, GOP tries to use that suffering to blame Democrats….--Trump’s executive orders are just props in his reality-free show
--his reduced unemployment boost requires 25% from states that don’t have the cash
--UMich Prof. Juan Cole asks “how did Americans become such wimps?"
In bizarre contradiction, California fracking moratorium is lifted and Chevron gets permit for solar powered fracking site in Lost Hills….--Steve Horn reports the shocking news at The Real News
--new US intelligence reports claim China is interfering to defeat Trump, while Russian meddling as aimed at re-electing him
AG Letitia James targets the NRA, NY-chartered nonprofit, for dissolution after top leaders looted $64 million, NRA locks & loads…--in lawsuit against Fox News by parents of Seth Rich, US court asks British court to ask Julian Assange 13 questions
--Beirut megablast could take down coalition government with 17 factions
Megablast that leveled Beirut’s port is attributed to huge stock of ammonium nitrate—but was ignition an “attack”, as Trump suggested?...--Israel often prefers ambiguity, but has issued denial, as Trump said “our great generals” think it could’ve been an attack
--Tikun Olam blogger Richard Silverstein says a high-level Israeli source claims the blast was caused by Israel, trying to hit Hezbollah arms cache
In campaign email, Trump says wearing masks is patriotic; in tweet to Floridians, he says mail-in voting is “safe and secure”…--but Conman Don threatens to sue Nevada over its new mail-in voting law
--on delayed primary election day, Michigan voters say they didn’t receive mail-in ballots they requested
--election experts press Congress for more funding for elections
Americans face trifecta of looming depression: unemployment cutoffs, rising evictions and foreclosures, loss of health insurance, as Washington gridlocks….--in rental dispute, landlord is beheaded by angry renter
--Trump wants to block evictions, he says, “I’ll do it myself if I have to”
--Portland protests were mostly peaceful, as crowds decline and feds stay off the streets
--Seattle council struggles to make deep cuts in police budget
--after protesters visit her home, Seattle police chief asks Council to stop them
